Goa: 1 linked to Malegaon blast dies in explosion

Last updated on: October 17, 2009 01:34 IST

One member of a rightwing Hindu group linked to Malegaon blast accused sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was killed and another critically injured on Friday night when an explosive kept in a scooter went off on a busy street in the heart of Margao town, 30 km from Panaji.

Melgunda Patil, who was one of the two persons injured in the blast, succumbed to his injuries at Goa Medical College.

Police said the blast, triggered at around 9.30 pm, also gutted three vehicles.

The scooter, which contained the explosive, was parked behind Grace Church located in the heart of the town.

Yogesh Naik, another member of Sanathan Sanstha, the right wing Hindu outfit linked to Pragya Singh, is still critical at the hospital, police sources said.

A red alert was declared across Goa after the incident, Superintendent of Police Atmaram Deshpande said.

Police have also found a bag containing electric circuit about 20 km from the blast site in Margao.

Nishad Bakhle, the owner of the scooter in which the explosive was kept, has also been traced at the Sanatan Saunstha office at Ramnathi in Ponda town 25 km from here which was raided following the blast, police sources said.

"We are not suspecting anyone at this moment but are not leaving anything to chance," a senior police officer said.